Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has defended President William Ruto’s international trip, accusing critics of trying to politicise his foreign visit

Speaking on Sunday, June 14, 2026, during a church service in Kajiado County, Wanga argued that the president’s overseas visits are aimed at advancing Kenya’s economic and diplomatic interests and should not be reduced to political talking points.

“Huyu Raisi wetu akienda ngambo wanasema ni mbaya…sasa huyu raisi atafanya nii na yeye anafanya maendeleo, anasongesha Kenya mbele,” Wanga stated.

Governor Wanga’s remarks come against a backdrop of sustained public debate and political criticism over the scale and cost of President William Ruto’s international travel since taking office.

The Controller of Budget (CoB), in its nine-month expenditure report covering July 2025 to March 2026, flagged continued high spending on foreign travel within the national government.

Ruto defends trip

President William Ruto recently came out to defend his frequent foreign travels, saying his international engagements form part of his official duties as Head of State and are not leisure trips, amid continued public scrutiny over the frequency of his overseas visits.

Speaking during a town hall meeting with Kenyans living and working in Scandinavia in Helsinki, Finland, President Ruto dismissed claims that his travel schedule is excessive or unnecessary, insisting that his role requires sustained diplomatic engagement abroad.

“I was looking at one of the headlines in the newspaper that William Ruto is travelling again. I wish they knew the kind of schedule that I have. I have not come here as a tourist or to waste time; I have come here to make sure we have achieved certain things. Just for the record, I am the chief diplomat of our country. People want to know what Kenya stands for,” the President said.

He emphasised that his foreign trips are aimed at advancing Kenya’s diplomatic, trade, and investment interests, arguing that global engagement is central to his administration’s economic transformation agenda.

According to him, maintaining Kenya’s position on the international stage requires consistent high-level engagement with global partners, investors, and diaspora communities.